Should Russ Lose the "Interim Mascot" Tag and Be Named the New Uga?
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 6:00 PM EST
in Football
31 comments
In last night's comment thread, AuditDawg offered an interesting opinion:
I think Russ has earned his spot on the sidelines
All other circumstances be damned.
That's a valid point. Russ, after all, is 2-0, with a win over a conference champion in a rivalry game and a bowl victory, neither of which occurred between the hedges. He isn't all-white, the way all the earlier Ugas have been, but, honestly, is that really that important? Eventually, there's going to be a litter of Uga's pups that doesn't include an all-white male, and, besides, the Uga line began in the mid-1950s, shortly following Brown v. Board of Education but about five years prior to Hamilton Holmes's and Charlayne Hunter's arrival in Athens. The University of Georgia isn't all-white any longer; why should Uga be?
On the other hand, Russ's regal bearing may, in fact, be disinterest. I have a hard time picturing him leaping to take a bite out of an Auburn player and I can think of no qualification more important for a Georgia mascot than a visceral hatred of the Plainsmen. (I hate Auburn.) Moreover, Russ is a hefty fellow his ownself, which has not been a good sign for the health and longevity of Ugas in recent years. There also is the fact that, while the all-white thing is a bit arbitrary and inconsequential, it would represent a real departure from tradition to go with the previous Uga's brother rather than with his son. That's the sort of significant distinction that produces British wars and Shakespeare plays.
Which, then, is the better course? I believe Russ, like Otto, should receive the thanks of a grateful Bulldog Nation and that a younger, smaller mascot sired by Uga VII should take up the reigns next September, but AuditDawg makes a legitimate argument. What do you think?
Go 'Dawgs!
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Let's go with an analogy we all know and can appreciate.
Do you want Scar, or do you want Simba?
Of course, it is entirely possible that, due to the young age at which he passed, Uga VII might have died without issue. In this case, Uga VII himself could be considered “Simba,” and we should go with Simba’s little brother, who I’ll call “Other Simba” (or “Simba” for short.)
So, by my argument, that means… aw, crap, that means Russ is actually a prime candidate for the job.
Ok, forget that entire analogy.
Seriously, though, Russ is just too old. One of the Seiler clan was interviewed on the sidelines last night on TV, and said Russ was 6 years old. In English Bulldog years, that means almost 60% of his life is over… do we want to be going through this process again in just 3 or 4 years? Also, he said Russ got kinda freaked out by the crowd and the band, and wanted to just stay in his crate. Obviously, an Uga has to have a more outgoing disposition than that.
Also, I agree that the all-white thing is an anachronism at best, and at worst is a constant reminder of our state’s discriminatory past. Not just any old English Bulldog can be Uga, however, spotless white or not. A new Uga should have two primary qualities:
1) Youth. While he can’t be still a puppy, the new Uga has to be young, so as to increase the likelihood of having a long, 9+ year reign. So, maybe around a year to 18 months old.
2) A social nature. An Uga has to be incredibly patient and loving with thousands of annoying kids (and adults) who are always trying to pull on him, pet him, take his picture, and nudge him around into that “perfect pose” because they don’t want to get a shot of Uga’s… ahem… “endowment”… when posed next to their smiling face. He also has to be willing to sit outside his carrier/doghouse for much of the game, which necessarily means that he’ll be dealing with excessively loud band noise and crowd noise for at least 3 hours straight. So… he has to be willing to put up with that and still keep a calm, patient demeanor.
It is no easy task being Uga, and not just any dog can handle it. I submit that, while Russ has been a capable sub, he is not made of starter material. And it has nothing to do with his brown spots.
Long live the future Uga VIII, wherever he may be.
Agreed, Vineyard
I certainly have nothing against a brindle Dawg, I think I read somewhere that the distant ancestor of the current lineage who travelled with our team to the 1/1/1943 Rose Bowl was one. Never a bad thing to widen the gene pool within any breed, that is as true of Bulldogs as it is of Labs and Huskies. But your points are well taken: Russ is a little on in his years, and he was raised on a farm in South Georgia and is not really used to huge crowds and lots of noise and fuss. He has done us proud for the past two games but it really wouldn’t be right to take him from his natural environment in his middle age and surround him with something completely different. UGA VI and his daddy had the ideal temperament. An Uga of the age you mention would more easily acclimate and enjoy his duties. At any rate, I guess we’ll all see within the next 4 months if the choice is to be made by the spring game.
UGA
As ever, I am the intruder and I realize the approximate value of my opinion in Jawga. I must, however address the issue of lineage. The hated Redcoats that were run the f.. way out of this country by our courageous forefathers recognized royalty. That was a failing on their part that has been acknowledged at least partly by the modern Brits. There is nothing wrong with a white bulldog however, what image can symbolize toughness as effectively as a gnarly ass, brindle, American Pit Bull Terrier? A brindle bulldog does not give a damn about noise, confusion or much of anything else. Social nature? A pit will teach folks what’s socially acceptable to him and that’s the whole point isn’t it? Let’s face it, you’ve already trampled tradition with uniform travesties. Cast off the image of the oppressor, embrace the brindle.
No offense renegator...
… but these words could only have been written by a fan of a school whose football tradition is two decades long. Replacing Uga with another breed is like replacing the stitched American flag with a scrolling banner ad on an imitation iPhone.
by first and thom on Dec 29, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Precisely, first and thom
We should bear in mind that the entire Uga line has been privately owned by Sonny Seiler, who initiated the tradition as a student in Athens in the 1950s. Seiler is a Georgia man to the bone, and, as long as he and his family are willing to allow all of Bulldog Nation to share in the joy their family pets provide, we will be happy to let him provide that valuable service.
Also, anyone who thinks we have (or ever had) gotten terribly far afield from hereditary monarchy in this country obviously has never heard of the Adamses, Harrisons, Roosevelts, Kennedys, or Bushes.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Monarchy
Good point Kyle, I will stand corrected. If longevity of the mascot breed becomes burdensome you may consider dancing teacakes as an alternative.
Keep it civil.
Well put
I thought I was keeping it civil, though. In all sincerity, if you think I’m not, let me know. You, like skigator93, have always been a welcome guest here, and I wouldn’t want good-natured impassioned jousting to cross any lines. If you think I did that, please point to where I did so. Much obliged.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
Crossing lines
T.Kyle, you have never crossed any lines of civility. I was simply pleading for a measure of mercy after the “dancing teacakes” comment. I figured I had a well deserved verbal raking coming and I was just cringing. It’s all in fun and it’s always a pleasure. In the future, I will give wide berth to any challenge of your knowledge of UGA history. Well done sir. As to the U.F. uniform change I think all Gator fans disliked it. However, as in the case of the competitive bid process, dollars dictate. Especially when Nike comes calling.
Also, the "uniform travesties" analogy doesn't hold up under scrutiny
The Bulldogs wore black jerseys for the 1943 Rose Bowl, the 2008 Sugar Bowl, and home games against Auburn and Alabama in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively. The Bulldogs wore silver britches from 1939 to 1963 and again from 1980 to the present day. The Bulldogs wore white pants from 1964 to 1979 and again for one game in 1999. The Bulldogs wore black pants in single-game instances in the 1997, 1998, and 2009 seasons. The Bulldogs wore silver helmets under Wally Butts and red helmets under Vince Dooley (with that detestable black stripe during the Jim Donnan era) before breaking out black helmets for one game in 2009. The Bulldogs regularly wore red pants on the road in the 1970s and did so in single-game instances in 1985 and 1987. In short, we change uniforms from time to time. We do it too much, but we’ve done it for a long time.
Besides, we’re not the ones who went with all-white unis with italicized "F"s on the helmets in our last game. I don’t know that the Gator faithful have much room to talk on this one, what with the mystique of the blue pants and Charley Pell stealing Clemson’s orange pants look in the early ’80s.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, what is up with that new "F" helmet?
When I saw Florida wearing that new helmet in the FSU game, the first thought that occurred to me was, “did someone accidentally hit Control-I when trying to re-create the template for the throwback helmets from last year?”
Somebody must have finally told the Gators that their helmets look stupid. And I will say this… as silly as the italicized F looks, it’s better than the cursive writing.
by vineyarddawg on Dec 30, 2009 7:17 AM EST up reply actions
White helmets
Hate them. Obviously, Nike is too blame for such ridiculous looking duds – they were part of the Nike Combat uniform program that they came out with this year and we wore for the FSU game. I think that was a mistake because it was Tebow’s senior day and now his last home game will be marred by those terrible unis. I would rather us wear them for the FIU game when nobody (outside Gainesville) was watching.
I guess for trhe SEC game, the players thought they looked cool and decided to wear the helmets with the traditional all-white uniforms. Personally, I think they would have been better off worrying about game planning for Bama’s instead of what they were going to wear, but that’s just me. The ugly Nike uniforms should not be confused with the much cooler uniforms with white helmets worn in 2006 for the Alabama game, which were throwbacks from the 60s.
Regardless, after the SECCG, I think the white helmets went the route of the UGA black helmets. This article indicates as much.
I got that sick feeling in the SECCG when we came out in all white. One of my friends remarked that we looked like a bunch of nurses out there. Well, we sure played like a bunch of Nancies that day.
Getting back to the subject, I think that Russ should keep his interim tag, while a new successor should be named, but immediately sent on an indefinite leave of absence, so that Russ can continue his current winning streak, while the successor prepares to take the reins. Once Russ experiences his first loss, then the successor in waiting can be brought out and Russ can be demoted to Assistant Head Mascot.
You're not the only one...
who wishes their team would worry more about the game rather than the color of their uniforms, skigator. We don’t have much in common, as fans of rival schools. But we have that.
by marktheshark on Dec 30, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
You guys look at the all white dog as
a symbol of hatred and bitterness. I for one, see it as the unblemished dog. Not that there’s anything technically wrong with Russ or any other bulldog with spots, but the spotless dog has been tradition for quite a few years. All of the University’s logos with the dog show a spotless one, to change that would be very costly. I also think that there are many who would setlle for nothing less and they are at least a force because of the economics of the University.
To change logos would be costly?
Quite the contrary, Eric; adding an extra logo (remember the broad-chested, narrow-waisted yippy dog superimposed over the oval “G” in the ’90s?) would increase marketing opportunities exponentially.
I don’t view it as a symbol of hatred or bitterness, I just don’t view it as a necessity. I think our view on this was skewed by Superman’s dog, Krypto, who added a fake brown spot on his back when assuming his secret identity and burned it off with his heat vision before donning his cape to go save, I don’t know, imperiled pets or something. Yeah, all right, the analogy breaks down. My bad.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
Any analogy or connection with Uga’s all-whiteness or lack of dark spots to racism or the civil rights movement is totally unnecessary, in my opinion. No one is accusing us of being stuck in an age that hasn’t recognized modern race relations by maintaining that our mascot must be all white. Nor should they. Uga is and has always been an all white English Bulldog, and he should remain that way.
That was suppsed to be a reply to EricBDawg's comment.
by marktheshark on Dec 29, 2009 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I hear you
I didn’t mean to make any such accusation; I agree that it’s a symbol of purity rather than a symbol of segregation. I just liked the play on words with “all-white”; if that went too far, mea culpa.
Unfortunate race-related misinterpretations aside, though, isn’t the notion of white as a symbol of purity somewhat strange when applied to a mascot? White is used as a symbol of purity when brides are donning dresses on their wedding days or lambs are being selected for placement upon Old Testament altars. Do we really want to imply that Uga is either virginal or sacrificial? Aren’t those qualities the very antithesis of the traits we want our mascot to embody?
(I don’t mean to overthink this, but I’ve always thought the bronze bulldog outside of Memorial Hall suggested masculinity and fortitude much more so than the granite bulldog at the east end of the Sanford Stadium playing field because the former, unlike the latter, was, shall we say, a gender-specific sculpture.)
When you get right down to it, I’m pretty much looking for the same qualities in Georgia’s next mascot as I am in Georgia’s next defensive coordinator.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
That's what it takes to sell real estate . . .
. . . and coffee is for closers.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 29, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Understood.
You didn’t go too far. I just misread your point. I see the pun there, and it’s clever, but slightly pushes the envelope on an issue most people don’t want to tread, particularly when not warranted. But I didn’t mean to get onto you as much as I wanted to hammer home the point that it shouldn’t be read into that way by anyone reading your writing, whether you were serious about it or not.
On a less serious note (or maybe more serious, because this is something I definitely believe…): I’m with Travis. Bronze Balls!!! He can be all white, spotted, old or young. I don’t care; he better have a pair!
by marktheshark on Dec 29, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
"He can be all white, spotted, old or young. I don't care; he better have a pair!"
That reads like the final line of a poem called “Ode to Uga” . . . which, when you think about it, why is there not a poem called “Ode to Uga”? We may need to have an “Ode to Uga” poetry-writing contest this offseason.
Well done.
Go 'Dawgs!
A collective Dawg Sports effort maybe?
If so, we have the last line. I didn’t intend for it to rhyme when I wrote it. It just came out that way.
by marktheshark on Dec 30, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Me thinks
that Coach Richt brought that over from FSU….it seems like a ‘Noleish thing to do, sort of like the helmet stickers. I never liked those either – I am glad that we don’t award decals for performance…it sort of takes away from the team first concept. Granted, I thought they were really cool in Pop Warner league – we got footballs for offensive excellence and headhunters for defensive plays. The headhunters were really gory too – definitely wouldn’t be permitted by today’s generation!
No worries!
I don’t hold anything against you sir!
Virginal or sacrificial? No not so much, more pure and unblemished, don’t we want that for our teams? We want them to play the game the correct way, we want their record to be unblemished, we want our coaching staff to be unblemished, we want our athletes to be unblemished (i.e. no arrests), we want our university to be the epitome of universities all over the world. There, an all white dog sums that up nicely, at least in my opinion.
Excellent points, Eric
100 cocktails and a stick of butter!
I’m not sure which point I like better . . . the need for an unblemished won-lost record or the need for an unblemished arrest record.
Go 'Dawgs!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!
I love butter!!!!!!! Paula Deen has nothing on me!!!!
At first I really thought seriously of Russ becoming the new Uga, but after thinking about it I have to concede that part of the tradition of the Uga line is the distinction and almost regal look of the dog. Russ is one ugly dog, and while for me that is somewhat of an endearing quality, I don’t know if it would fly with the purists. No, the next Uga must be an offspring of Uga VII, and he must be all white.
The beauty of a bulldog is his "ugly" mug.
But I’m here to say…in the new world of HDTV, Russ’ mug is rather extraordinary…in a “bless his heart” sort of way.
Let’s go with a son…a little trimmer and with the hollywood looks of his forebears.
Run Lindsay Run!
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